U.S. patent application number 14/250964 was filed with the patent office on 2014-08-07 for variable configuration shelving apparatus and methods.
This patent application is currently assigned to EDSAL MANUFACTURING CO., INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is EDSAL MANUFACTURING CO., INC.. Invention is credited to Al Dunaj, SCOTT FITZGERALD, Mitch Liss, Thomas St. Germain, David J. Wojtowicz.
Application Number | 20140217252 14/250964 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45398898 |
Filed Date | 2014-08-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140217252 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
FITZGERALD; SCOTT ; et
al. |
August 7, 2014 |
VARIABLE CONFIGURATION SHELVING APPARATUS AND METHODS
Abstract
A variable configuration shelving apparatus including
shelf-supporting reversible beams. In one position, beam top edges
are flush with a shelf thereon. In another position, the beams form
upstanding lips about a shelf. Beam structure is included.
Inventors: |
FITZGERALD; SCOTT; (Lowell,
IN) ; Wojtowicz; David J.; (Orland Park, IL) ;
St. Germain; Thomas; (Bridgeview, IL) ; Liss;
Mitch; (Northbrook, IL) ; Dunaj; Al; (Chicago,
IL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
EDSAL MANUFACTURING CO., INC. |
CHICAGO |
IL |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
EDSAL MANUFACTURING CO.,
INC.
CHICAGO
IL
|
Family ID: |
45398898 |
Appl. No.: |
14/250964 |
Filed: |
April 11, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
12829746 |
Jul 2, 2010 |
8733564 |
|
|
14250964 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
248/218.4 ;
248/235; 29/428 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 29/49826 20150115;
A47B 96/1441 20130101; A47B 96/06 20130101; A47B 57/50
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/218.4 ;
248/235; 29/428 |
International
Class: |
A47B 96/06 20060101
A47B096/06 |
Claims
1-7. (canceled)
8. A reversible shelf-supporting beam for use in a shelving
apparatus, said beam comprising: an elongated web having a lower
edge; said web having a top edge defined by a reverse folded
portion; a shelf-supporting flange extending in a perpendicular
direction from said reverse folded portion and from said web; said
flange being spaced from said top edge at a first distance and from
said lower edge at a second distance greater than said first
distance.
9. A beam as in claim 8 further comprising means on said beam for
mounting aid beam on a supporting column in a selected first or a
selected second and reversed position.
10. A plurality of beams of claim 9 comprising a shelf-supporting
set of beams, selected beams of said beam set being mountable on a
support column in said selected first position or in said second
selected position.
11. A method of assembling a shelving apparatus comprising support
columns, shelf-supporting beams and shelves and including the steps
of: orienting said columns vertically; mounting said beams on said
columns in at least one respective set of beams for supporting one
shelf with selected ones of said beam of said set in one selected
position, and other selected beams of said set in a second selected
position; orienting a shelf on said set of beams with at least one
edge of said shelf having flush shelf edges adjacent beams in said
first position; and at least one other edge of said shelf adjacent
a beam in said second position extending above said shelf.
12. A method as in claim 11 including the further step of mounting
another set of beams on said columns wherein all beams of said
other set are in said first position.
13. A method as in claim 11 including the further step of mounting
another set of beams on said columns wherein all beams of said
other set are in said second position.
14. A method of assembling a shelving apparatus comprising support
columns, shelf-supporting beam and shelves and including the steps
of: orienting said columns vertically; mounting said beams on said
columns in a set of beams for supporting one shelf with selected
ones of said beams of said set in one or the other of two selected
positions; and orienting a shelf on said set of beams with flush
shelf edges adjacent beams in said one position; and said beams
being reversible to said other position for selectively providing
support for a shelf with a different edge configuration.
15. A method of assembling a shelving apparatus having a plurality
of columns, shelf-supporting beam and shelves with the shelf edge
configurations being variable between flush edges and lipped edges,
said method comprising the steps of: orienting columns vertically;
mounting each beam on said columns in one of a selected first or
second position; and orienting a shelf an a plurality of beams
defining a set of beams respectively for said shelf; said shelf
edge configuration of said shelf being flush along a side of said
shelf adjacent a beam in a first position, and said shelf edge
configuration having an upstanding lip along a side of said shelf
adjacent a beam in a second position.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to the field of shelving and more
particularly to improved shelving components providing a variety of
easily-adjustable shelf configurations.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Consideration of efficient shelving includes the particular
configuration of respective shelves and the facilitation of shelf
loading and load retention. For example, a fully flat shelf surface
with no upstanding edge lip may be useful in one application where
it is desired to easily slide, load or unload an item onto or from
the surface without obstruction from an upstanding lip. In another
application, it may be desired to surround a shelf with an
upstanding lip to prevent loads from easily rolling or sliding off
the shelf. In yet other applications, it may be desirable to
provide a shelf with no front side lip but with upstanding lips on
the shelf sides and/or along the rear edge of the shelf, for the
same purposes.
[0003] At the same time, it is desired to provide a shelving unit
which can be shipped in flat configuration and erected on site. If
the unit is to present a variety of shelves as noted above, a
plurality of different shelves must be provided, increasing the
number of shelves necessary for a user to customize a shelving unit
for a particular application. This extends the number of shelf
components necessary as well as the cost, and results in an excess
of unused shelves not utilized in the desired application.
[0004] Accordingly, it has been one objective of the invention to
provide an improved variable shelf apparatus having a variety of
shelf configurations easily presented and capable of providing all
the application varieties above, but without the need to supply
extra or additional shelves for each desired configuration or
application.
[0005] A further objective of the invention has been to provide an
improved shelving apparatus and methods capable of presenting a
variety of shelf configurations.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] To these ends, a preferred embodiment of the invention
contemplates provision of a shelving apparatus wherein the shelves
are of identical construction and further including a plurality of
shelf supporting beams which are mounted to shelf-supporting
columns in different orientations to present, in combination with
the shelves, a variety of shelf configurations. Thus, a variety of
shelf configurations are rendered possible, not by variations in
shelf structures, but by variable orientation of shelf supporting
beams, which alternately define upstanding lips along predetermined
shelf edges of which support the shelf without any upstanding lip
above the plane of the shelf surface. Accordingly, the invention
provides a shelf apparatus comprising a plurality of shelves,
common shelf-supporting but reversible beams and shelf-supporting
columns wherein the shelf configuration is defined or determined by
the orientation of the common but reversible beams.
[0007] More particularly, the invention contemplates an improved
shelf supporting beam having a shelf supporting flange extending
from the beam body at a position which is nearer one elongated edge
of the beam than another. When oriented in one position, the beam
flange supports a shelf such that the upper edge of the beam is
generally flush with the shelf surface. When oriented in a second
or reverse position, the beam flange supports the shelf on another
side thereof, with an edge of the beam extending above the shelf
surface, defining a lip along the adjacent edge of the shelf.
[0008] Using this invention, a user can then select which if any
shelf edge needs or does not need a lip and then provide that lip,
or not, by orienting the position of the adjacent shelf beam
between the columns.
[0009] A shelving apparatus is thus presented to provide a variety
of shelf configurations accomplished by common components and
without additional shelving necessary to provide a desired shelf
configuration.
[0010] A unique shelf-supporting and reversible beam structure is
also contemplated.
[0011] To these ends, preferred embodiments of the invention will
be even more readily understood by the following written
description and the drawings in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a shelving apparatus
according to the invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 is an exploded isometric view of the invention
illustrating a shelf or two shelf-supporting beams wherein the top
edges of the beams are flush with the shelf surface;
[0014] FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a shelf-supporting beam
according to the invention;
[0015] FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 4A-4A of
FIG. 1;
[0016] FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 4B-4B of
FIG. 1;
[0017] FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 4C-4C of
FIG. 1;
[0018] FIG. 4D is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 4D-4D of
FIG. 1;
[0019] FIG. 5A is an illustrative cross-section of a
shelf-supporting beam wherein the top edge 30 of the beam is flush
with the flat edge surface; and
[0020] FIG. 5B is an illustrative cross-section of a
shelf-supporting beam, wherein the beam is flipped over, or
reversed, the shelf residing on the opposite side of the support
flange and the now upper beam edge extending above a shelf surface,
forming an upstanding lip or edge for the shelf.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0021] It will be appreciated that the invention also provides an
aesthetic appearance apart and differentiated from functional
aspects of the claimed structure. A related design application is
filed on even date herewith and is granted U.S. Ser. No.
29/365,084.
[0022] Turning now to the drawings, there is shown in FIG. 1 a
shelving apparatus 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the
invention. Apparatus 10 includes four upstanding shelf-supporting
columns 11-14. Apparatus 10 also includes in this embodiment five
shelves 16-20 of preferably identical construction. Shelves 16-20
may be made of wood, particle board, synthetics, laminates or any
suitable materials and preferably having a thickness 22
(illustrated at FIG. 2). Apparatus 10 further includes a set of
four shelf-supporting beams 24-27, including a front beam 24, side
beams 25, 26 and rear beam 27, for each respective shelf 16-20.
[0023] Front and rear beam 24, 27 are essentially the same length,
while side beams 25, 26 are shorter than beams 24, 27, but are
equal in length to each other.
[0024] It will be appreciated that while each beam 24-27 is
preferably similar in construction to each other beam (excepting
beam length as noted above), they are oriented in apparatus 10 in
different configurations as herein noted.
[0025] FIG. 3 clearly illustrates the features common to each of
preferred beams 24, 27, which are the same (excepting length) as in
beams 25, 26.
[0026] Each beam 24-27 thus has a top edge 30, a bottom edge 32,
and a beam web 34. Web 34 has a reversely-folded flange 36 and a
shelf-supporting flange 38 extending perpendicularly therefrom. Top
edge 30 is defined by the folded juncture of web 34 and reverse
flange 36.
[0027] Shelf-support flange 38 has an upper shelf-support surface
40 (FIG. 3) and an opposite lower shelf-support surface 42 (FIGS.
4A-4D) on another side of flange 38. Like portions of the beams
24-27 carry like numbers for clarity. The beams 24-27 preferably
have holes 44 to accommodate beam-to-column interconnection rivets
46 as will be discussed.
[0028] Holes 48 may be placed in flange 38 for accommodating
appropriate fasteners (not shown) for respective shelves 16-20.
[0029] It will be appreciated that, while not shown (for clarity)
in FIG. 1, columns 11-14 are in the configuration or an angle with
two column flanges joined at ninety degrees. Each column flange is
provided with a series of spaced apart, keyhole-shaped apertures
50, each having an enlarged portion 51 and a narrower portion 52
(see FIG. 4A, for example). The series of apertures 50 preferably
run the length of the respective columns 11-14 and it will be noted
the narrower portions 52 are beneath the enlarged portions 51 when
the columns are vertically oriented in an assembled unit 10.
Enlarged portions 51 are of a size to allow passage of the head 47
of a rivet 56, while the narrower portion 52 accommodates the shank
48 of rivets 46 (see FIGS. 4A-4D) but does not allow withdrawal of
the head 47 therethrough. Head 47 is larger in periphery than can
be passed thru narrow portion 52.
[0030] Apertures 50 are spaced apart preferably at the same
distance as holes 44 in beams 24-27, or in some multiple or
fraction thereof, such that rivets 46 in the beams 24-27 index with
respective holes 50 in the columns 11-14, thus securing the
respective beams 24-27 to respective columns 11-14 as will be
described.
[0031] It will be appreciated that shelving unit 10 presents, for
illustration, a variety of different shelf configurations (FIG. 1
and FIGS. 4A-4D). For example, top shelf 16 presents an upper flat
surface as shown with respective sides 60-63. Shelf 16 is a flat
surface 64 with no upstanding lip above that surface 64, sides
60-63 being flush with surface 64. Sides 60-63 are flush since top
edge 30 of the beams 24-27 do not extend above surface 64.
[0032] On the other hand, shelf 17 is also defined by a similar
flat surface 64, however, that surface is surrounded at its four
sides by upstanding lips defined by the edge 32 of front side and
rear beams 24-27 extending above the plane of surface 64 of shelf
17. In that configuration, items on surface 64 of shelf 17 are
prevented from sliding or rolling off shelf 17.
[0033] Turning to shelf 18, it too has a flat shelf surface 64. In
this configuration, however, the two side and rear edges of shelf
18 are surrounded by upstanding lips defined by top edges 32 of the
two side beams 25, 26 and the rear beam 27. The front edge of shelf
17, i.e. top edge 30 of front beam 24, is flush with surface 64,
allowing easy loading of shelf 18.
[0034] Shelf 19 and beams 24-27 are configured as shelf 17, simply
illustrating that apparatus 10 can be configured in a variety of
different ways, the configuration of each shelf being
selectable.
[0035] Finally, the configuration of shelf 20 is yet again
different. This shelf also has a flat shelf surface 64. The front
and both side edges thereof are defined by top edge 30 of each beam
24, 25, 26 being flush with surface 64, but with edge 32 of
reversed rear beam 27 extending above surface 64 to prevent loads
from being moved over the rear edge of the shelf.
[0036] Accordingly, it will be appreciated that FIG. 1 illustrates
but one of a large number of variable shelf configurations and
combinations thereof.
[0037] Top shelf 16 has flush edges with no upstanding lips, shelf
17 has an upstanding lip around all four shelf edges, shelf 18 has
an upstanding lip around the two sides and one rear edge, shelf 19
is like shelf 17 and shelf 20 has flush front and side edges with
an upstanding lip along its rear edge.
[0038] It will be appreciated that any number of shelf
configurations and any combination thereof, one with the other, are
easily provided.
[0039] Apparatus 10 might include a plurality of shelves, all with
the same edge or lip configuration (i.e. beam orientation), all
with different edge or lip configurations or any selected
combination thereof.
[0040] FIGS. 2-5 clearly illustrate components of the invention
which facilitate and provide these varied configurations. In this
regard, it will be appreciated that the upstanding or flush lips or
edges are determined by the orientation of the respective beams
24-27 for each shelf.
[0041] Turning again momentarily to FIG. 3, each beam 24-27 has
flange 38 which is disposed closer to top edge 30 than to the
bottom edge 32. Top surface 40 of flange 38 is spaced from the top
edge 30 a distance which is approximately the same as the thickness
of a shelf to be supported there (see FIG. 2 and the shelf
thickness 22, for example). Accordingly, when a shelf 16-20 is
supported on surface 40 of flange 38, top edge 30 of the respective
beam is flush, with, or in approximately the same plane as surface
64 of the shelf.
[0042] Thus, the top edge of beam 24-27, flush with surface 64,
defines or provides a flush edge for that side, front or back sides
or edges of the shelf.
[0043] Returning to FIG. 3 and FIG. 5A, note the flange 38 is
spaced further from lower beam edge 32 than top beam edge 30.
Accordingly, where the beam is reversed, flipped or rotated upside
down from its position in FIG. 3, the lower surface 42 of flange 38
now becomes the shelf-supporting surface of the flange 38. In such
an orientation, the shelf surface 64 is significantly now upper
edge 32 of the beam so that a portion of the beam extends above
surface 64, forming an upstanding lip or edge of the shelf edge
therealong.
[0044] The function of the beams 24-27, columns 11-14 and shelves
16-20 will now be discussed.
[0045] Rivets 46 in beams 24-27 are indexable with apertures 50 in
columns 11-14 respectively, so that each individual beam can be
supported by a column at a predetermined orientation, either
upright with a top beam edge 30 or flipped over so that beam edge
32 is the uppermost edge and edge 30 the lowermost. When beam edge
30 is uppermost, any adjacent portion of a shelf supported on
surface 40 of flange 38 is flush with top edge 30, thus defining a
flush shelf edge with no lip therealong. When any beam is reversed
or flipped over, the shelf is supported on surface 42 of flange 38
so beam edge 32 extends above shelf surface 64, defining an
upstanding lip above surface 64.
[0046] It will be appreciated that the respective shelves 16-20 are
typically flat, the flush edges or upstanding lip edges being
provided by the orientation of the beam along the adjacent shelf
portion.
[0047] Turning to the cross-section views of FIGS. 4A-4D, portions
of the apparatus 10 and shelves 16, 17, 18 and 20 are illustrated
for further understanding.
[0048] FIG. 4A illustrates the front beam 24, rear beam 27 and side
beam 26, all mounted on columns 11, 14 to provide a shelf 16 with
no upstanding lips, but rather flush edges. Rivets 46 hold beams
24, 26, 27 on the respective column with top edges 30 higher than
lower edge 32. Shelf 16 is supported on respective upper surfaces
40 of flanges 38. In this configuration, all beams are similarly
oriented. It will be appreciated that the beams are introduced to
the columns with rivet heads 47 extending through enlarged portions
51 of apertures 50. The rivet shanks are lowered into narrow
portions 52 to secure the respective beam onto a column.
[0049] FIG. 4B illustrates a cross-section of shelf 17 wherein each
beam is flipped with edge 32 uppermost, and edge 30 lowermost, the
beams defining an upstanding lip around the entire shelf on front,
sides and rear thereof. The extent of the lip is defined by the
distance between shelf surface 64 and beam edge 32.
[0050] FIG. 4C illustrate a cross-section of shelf 18 wherein there
is a lip along both the sides and the rear of shelf 18. In this
configuration, the side beam 25, 26 and rear beam 27 are flipped or
oriented so the beam edges 32 are uppermost compared to beam edge
30 which is lowermost. Shelf 18 is supported on surfaces 42 of
flanges 38 of beams 25, 26, 27. At the same time, front beam 24 is
oriented with its edge 30 uppermost, and shelf 18 lies on surface
40 of flange 38. In this configuration, shelf surface 64 is below
all beam edges 32 and flush with beam edge 30 of beam 24, leaving a
front shelf side with no lip, and shelf sides and back with an
upstanding lip.
[0051] FIG. 4D illustrates a cross-section of shelf 20 where the
rear side of shelf 20 has an upstanding lip, but the front and rear
sides have no lip. In this configuration, only rear beam 27 is
flipped with its edge 32 uppermost over edge 30, while beams 24, 25
and 26 are in a different configuration with edge 30 uppermost
providing flush shelf front and sides. Here, shelf 20 is supported
on surface 42 of flange 38 of beam 27, but on surfaces 40 of
flanges 38 of beams 24, 25, 26.
[0052] The length of beams 24-27 is such that while the respective
beam ends are functionally coupled to the respective columns 11-14,
the beams 24-27 do not interfere one with the other, regardless of
their orientation.
[0053] The cross-sections of FIGS. 5A, 5B are illustrative of the
two varied configurations of a beam with respect to a shelf.
[0054] Accordingly, it will be appreciated that in a shelf
apparatus 10, where a predetermined number of shelves are desired,
the configuration of the shelf edges being flush or with upstanding
lips is dependent on the orientation of the common side beams and
common front and rear beams and not on the shelves 16-20
themselves. Thus, where a variety of shelving configurations are
desired, the invention facilitates that configuration with only the
same number of parts (columns, shelves and beams) as if the desired
configurations were all identical.
[0055] It will be appreciated that for purposes of description a
shelf in the invention has a flush edge configuration when the
shelf side or portion is alongside a beam in a first position, as
in FIGS. 2 and 3. That same shelf has a lipped edge configuration
along a portion thereof adjacent a beam which is in a reversed
second position, such as the beams 24, 27 in FIG. 4B.
[0056] Finally, it will be appreciated that the invention
contemplates methods of assembling a shelf apparatus wherein
columns are erected vertically, front side and rear bears of a set
of beams are connected to respective columns in one of two
reversible positions, such that beams in one position have an upper
edge flush with a shelf surface when a shelf is laid thereon, and
when the beams are reversed, the now upper bottom edge extends
above a surface of a shelf laid on the beam to provide an
upstanding lip above the shelf surface. Any combination of beam
orientations can be used to provide a lip for a shelf edge or a
flush shelf edge.
[0057] These and other modifications and variations of the
invention will be readily appreciated by the foregoing to those of
ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of the
invention and applicant intends to be bound only by the claims
appended hereto.
* * * * *